Final three minutes of a half/game maintained; minor adjustments enacted to improve game flow
TORONTO – The Canadian Football League (CFL) Board of Governors has approved rule adjustments that were recommended by the Rules Committee, composed of head coaches, team presidents, the Officials Association and the CFL Players’ Association.
In addition to the rule adjustments, the league office has provided additional direction to the operation of the CFL Replay Centre:
With the implementation of the automatic 35-second play clock, on-field and replay officials have been directed to avoid slowing the game down, unless a critical ruling is in question
Replay Centre officials will continue to support on-field officials during natural breaks in play, when the 20-second variable clock is in effect, such as after a penalty has been called on the field, or in automatic review situations (i.e. scoring plays, in the final three minutes and coaches’ challenges)
2026 KEY NOTES ON RULE CHANGES
FINAL THREE MINUTES
20-second play clock maintained in the final three minutes of the first and second halves
Game clock starts on the snap of the first play following the three-minute warning
REGULAR SEASON OVERTIME
If teams remain tied following a second mini-game, alternating two-point converts will be attempted from the three-yard line until a winner is determined
All attempts will take place on the same end of the field as the previous overtime mini-game
Each team will be able to take one 15-second timeout in overtime
AUTOMATIC REVIEW: TURNOVER ON DOWNS
A turnover on downs ruling will result in automatic review from the Replay Centre
QB KNEELS TO END HALF OR GAME
A half or the game may end on a single kneel if all of the following conditions are met:
The defence does not possess a timeout
It is first down and the offence wishes to end the half or game
40 seconds or fewer remain on the game clock
DEAD BALL PLACEMENT
If a kick goes out of bounds through the end zone with no point awarded, or a field goal attempt strikes the goalpost and no points are scored, the ball will be scrimmaged from the 40-yard line
TEAM BENCHES
Team bench areas will be between the 40-yard lines on opposite sidelines
Bench violations will be a point of emphasis for officials and they will result in in-game penalties and defined supplementary discipline
ROSTER FLEXIBILITY
Prior to the game, teams may provide officials with a third ineligible number capable of reporting and lining up in an eligible position
INELIGIBLE RECEIVER PENALTY
An incomplete pass will be added to the possible outcomes available to the defending team when an ineligible receiver penalty is called
The preseason slate gets underway on May 18, before the season kicks off on June 4, with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats playing host to the Montreal Alouettes.
* Sabres forward ZachBenson celebrated his 21st birthday by scoring a game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs – doing so with his family in attendance – and helped Buffalo even their Second Round series with Montreal.
* Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev ensured the Golden Knights remained perfect in overtime during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs (3-0) and did so after the Ducks forced the extra frame with a tying tally in the final four minutes of regulation.
* The Avalanche and Wild will meet for an all-important Game 5 back at Ball Arena with the series on the line. The Presidents’ Trophy winners eye the Conference Finals but Minnesota has its sights on overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to defeat Colorado for the second time.
BENSON SENDS SABRES BACK TO BUFFALO WITH EVEN SERIES ON HIS BIRTHDAY
The clubs traded leads in the first period but Zach Benson (1-0—1) celebrated his 21st birthday by breaking a third-period tie and helped the Sabres even their Second Round series at two apiece, with Game 5 set for Thursday in Buffalo (7 p.m. ET on TNT, SN, TVAS). The Sabres have won Game 5 at home when a series is tied 2-2 in each of the past three instances (2007 CSF, 2006 CQF & 2001 CSF) and have closed the series out in six games in the past two.
* Benson joined PeterMcNab (Game 6 of 1975 SF) as the second player in franchise history to score a playoff goal on his birthday and became the 13th player in NHL history (first in 10 years) to finish with the winner in that scenario. His fourth goal of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs tied Pierre Turgeon (4 in 1988), Dave Andreychuk (4 in 1985) and Alan Haworth (4 in 1981) for the third most in a playoff year by a Sabres player at age 21 or younger, behind only Danny Gare (7 in 1975 & 5 in 1976).
* TageThompson (1-1—2) and JoshDoan (0-2—2) were also pivotal in Buffalo’s third comeback win of the playoffs. Thompson recorded his third consecutive multi-point playoff road game and tied Gilbert Perreault (3 GP in 1981) for the longest such streak in franchise history while Doan extended his assist streak to five games – the longest by a Sabres player since Daniel Briere (5 GP in 2006) and two shy of Perreault’s franchise record (7 GP in 1981).
DOROFEYEV, EICHEL HELP GOLDEN KNIGHTS REBOUND TO OVERTIME WIN
Pavel Dorofeyev (2-0—2) and JackEichel (0-2—2) first combined on a game-tying tally in the first period and their services were needed once again in overtime after the Ducks scored a tying marker of their own within the final four minutes of regulation. The duo not only helped the Golden Knights gain a 3-2 series advantage but propelled the club to a 3-0 mark in overtime during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – tied for the most wins in a single postseason in franchise history and tied with the Hurricanes for the most among all clubs this playoffs.
* Eichel owns 11 assists on game-tying goals since his postseason debut in 2023 – one back of ConnorMcDavid (12) for the most among all players during the span. In fact, he needs one more helper to become just the fifth American player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with 15 or more assists in multiple playoff years (20 in 2023). He would join MatthewTkachuk, ChrisChelios, CraigJanney and KevinStevens (all 2x).
* The Golden Knights forward (1-14—15 in 11 GP), with an NHL-leading 14 assists this postseason, is appearing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year after missing out in each of his first seven campaigns and has since produced 11-47—58 in 51 career outings – 0.92 assists per game.
SECOND ROUND SCORING WAYS FEATURED IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Ducks rookie Beckett Sennecke (1-0—1)and Canadiens forward AlexNewhook (1-0—1) have been regulars on the score sheet during the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and continued their scoring ways as their clubs look to rebound when their series resume on Thursday. Click here for all the Second Round storylines in the latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates.
* Sennecke achieved a handful of accomplishments on the night he found the back of the net for the fourth straight contest: he established a franchise playoff record for the longest goal streak by a rookie (4-1—5 in 4 GP); his five goals in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs matched the single-postseason franchise rookie record; and his four goals tied the most in a series by a player age 20 or younger in the past 16 years.
* Newhook extended his goal streak to three games and boosted his total this postseason to six, five of which have come in this series alone. Newhook became the fourth Canadiens player in the past 30 years to score five goals in a single series, joining Michael Cammalleri (7 in 2010 CSF & 5 in 2010 CQF), Brian Gionta (5 in 2010 CSF) and Alex Kovalev (5 in 2004 CQF).
GUERIN, MacFARLAND AND VERBEEK VOTED FINALISTS FOR GM OF THE YEAR
Bill Guerin (MIN), Chris MacFarland (COL) and Pat Verbeek (ANA) are the three finalists for the 2025-26 Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. Voting for this award was conducted among the NHL general managers and a panel of League executives and media at the conclusion of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Click here to read more.
AVALANCHE, WILD READY FOR ALL-IMPORTANT GAME 5 WITH SERIES ON THE LINE
The Second Round series between the Avalanche and Wild shifts back to Ball Arena in Denver for a pivotal Game 5, where the Presidents’ Trophy winners have their sights on the Western Conference Final while Minnesota looks to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series for the third time in franchise history – and second time against Colorado (2003 CQF).
* The Avalanche had their win streak to start the postseason snapped in Game 3 but can join the Hurricanes (8 GP) as the second team to advance to the Conference Finals in nine or fewer games (last: ANA, 9 GP in 2015). The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs can be the second in NHL history to feature multiple teams achieve the feat after the Flyers (9 GP) and Red Wings (9 GP) each did so during the 1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
* The Wild can become the fourth franchise in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series three times and would join the Canadiens (2021 R1, 2010 CQF & 2004 CQF), Rangers (2022 R1, 2015 R2 & 2014 R2) and Canucks (2003 CQF, 1994 CQF & 1992 DSF); NY Rangers (2022 R1 & 2014 R2 vs. PIT) and Pittsburgh (1995 CQF & 1992 DSF vs. WSH) are the only franchises to do so multiple times against the same opponent.
Venue: Rogers Centre — Toronto, Ontario (Retractable Roof)
Venue & Weather Conditions
Rogers Centre’s retractable roof makes weather a strategic factor. With rain in the forecast, the roof is expected to be closed, creating a controlled, slightly hitter‑friendly indoor environment.
Toronto Forecast (6–10 p.m. ET):
Temperature: 60–63°F
Wind: 10–12 mph from the southwest
Rain: 50% chance early evening
Roof Expectation:Closed
Impact:
Neutral-to-slightly hitter-friendly
Power bats on both sides benefit
Strikeout pitchers (Cease, Jax) unaffected by wind
Injury Report
Tampa Bay Rays
Wander Franco — OUT (administrative leave)
Shane McClanahan — OUT (Tommy John recovery)
Zach Eflin — Day-to-day (back tightness)
Randy Arozarena — Healthy
Yandy Díaz — Healthy
Jax — Healthy and scheduled to start
Toronto Blue Jays
Bo Bichette — OUT (knee sprain)
Kevin Gausman — OUT (forearm strain)
George Springer — Day-to-day (hand contusion)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — Healthy
Dylan Cease — Healthy and scheduled to start
Team Records & Recent Form
Tampa Bay Rays (28–13)
Last 10: 7–3
Road Record: 13–8
Run Differential: +56
Trend: Elite pitching, deep bullpen, consistent run production.
NEW YORK – The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors have unanimously approved the sale and relocation of the Connecticut Sun from the Mohegan Tribe to new owner Tilman J. Fertitta, the league announced today.
Mohegan Sun Arena will remain the home of the Sun for the 2026 WNBA season. During this season, the Sun will host two regular-season games at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut (May 30 and July 2), and return to Boston, Massachusetts for a matchup at TD Garden (August 18). The team will relocate to Houston beginning with the 2027 season.
